HarryPAYCHECK – No, Ben Affleck Still Can’t Act, or can he?
May 9th 2008 04:56
Well, look again because despite this well voiced axiom and a few gigantic plot-holes in the storyline itself, Affleck managed to pull off something that, for him, seriously resembled “smooth” in this film. Perhaps it was the premise itself, which required a soulless, corporate geeky-type who has undergone many ‘electronic memory wipes;’ or perhaps it is simply the fact that some men are made-to-wear a suit … and he really does look like he has been poured into his.
No secret that I love science fiction and particularly ‘time’ movies, so there is another bias for me. No secret too that the same creative team of this film were also involved in the Minority Report and Blade Runner. Whilst the latter is beyond compare in almost any evaluation; in my humble opinion, PAYCHECK was far superior to both MI:2 and the much overrated Minority Report - because if Ben Affleck can’t act - then Tom Cruise surely can not either.
Yeah sure, but are a few temporal fluxes going to be enough to make up for Affleck’s’ notorious, woody, no-screen presence and override your urge to want to punch him in that ‘rather-square’ jaw? I mean enough to make you re-think hiring out and watching this film?
They say that time can heal many things … even Ben Affleck’s bad acting?
Well, from out of the trash can, I dare to say yes, so much so, that I wouldn’t be surprised if the screen play wasn’t specifically adapted and written by Dean Georgaris with Affleck in mind. Indeed, from the moment our hero empties the random contents of an ordinary brown envelope onto his hotel bed - to the conclusion of the awful truth - we are catapulted through a convoluted roller-coaster ride of flashbacks, disembodied scenes and almost familiar personalities; which all fit Affleck as well as his suit.
The mystery of the film is interlaced with a storyline that ties itself ‘very loosely’ to an ‘e-plot,’ whilst hovering on the edge of a collage, like Pulp Fiction. Both ways, it is all at once totally authentic because of Mr Affleck’s genuine lack of personality, which magnificently shines through his on-screen amnesia. Meanwhile, the action of PAYCHECK grounds itself beautifully in the leading lady, who quickly forms our only link to something real, instantly thrusting us into an ominous present, where we realise early that ‘time is running out,’ and only our wits will save us ... and that perhaps even our friends cannot be trusted anymore?
Spooky, and in beautiful segments of stylised frames of ‘real-time,’ (reminiscent in some ways of Total Recall), we are soon pursued by the agents of a primarily faceless evil, into a future that we cannot fully see, from a fragmented past that our hero cannot fully remember. Snippets of this ‘n’ that flicker into focus and out again, as Affleck’s character, Michael Jennings’ last ‘standard memory-wipe,’ seems to be hiding more than the usual technological secrets it has previously been used to protect.
For some reason, this time he needs to remember, before it's too late … if only he could?
Much like the heretofore bits’n’pieces of Affleck’s almost non-existent acting abilities, here in PAYCHECK, his monochromatic presence becomes real for the first time in his memory loss. Chilling, accurate and very timely in a world of colour, our almost unconcerned hero surprises us all from the moment he sends himself what seems like random objects in that simple brown paper envelope …objects which are not recognisable in the present, but soon obvious as ‘keys’ to his future, directly from his unknown past.
With a plot which sadly overlooks a couple vital temporal laws as it weaves through the figure-eights of time, you are going to need an anchor, or you may get giddy and fall off your seat. I can’t think of anyone who would’ve been better as the contrasting dye in Affleck’s laboratory test tube, than Uma Thurman. I think casting her in this role was a masterstroke of genius, but first we must establish who she really is?
She weaves in and out of the plot like a rich chord of luxurious velvet, holding it all together, as the fabric of time itself is twisted and flexed into a pretzel shaped universe of infinite, yet orchestrated possibilities.
Lingering like a long wet kiss (as she does), Uma’s character, Dr Rachel Porter, walks the border of one who doesn’t fully know, but cannot forget either - yet all the time - with her fate somehow inexorably intertwined with our protagonist? Together they traverse a network of intricate loops, spills and thrills as our faithfully awkward hero uses up his ‘magical objects,’ one by one - like some medieval wizard suddenly possessed of arcane knowledge - to eventually come face to face with the awful truth and central theme of the film itself in a single gritty climax; albeit followed by a somewhat surprise sugar-coated, twist-snap ending.
I am not surprised to find that Affleck is proving to be deeper than people originally thought through his surprise ‘new-found’ directing abilities. For me PAYCHECK revealed hidden talent way back then, when all the other under achievers (like Cruise) strutted their stuff on the red carpet … for Ben, it was all just waiting for the right moment in time to reveal itself – just like in the film - but not actually on it.
Rather prophetic really.
Enough said.
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Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Louie
Climate Forum
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
I am destined to watch 1000 DVD's this weekend with my partner away so Ill check this out for sure normally Ben Affleck stays on the shelf, a hang over from the JLO scam that left a bad taste in my mouth because of their blatant desperation for uberfame more than anything else. But ill give it a go, Jennifer Garner seems nice so he can't be all that bad, and Matt Damon speaks to him again now
happy friday
Louie
Comment by Brad Gaylard
Mens Zen
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Thank you for your kind words, I think I'll have to agree with you on that, 100%... I am glad that someone else can enjoy it too ...
Lilla ...
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Oh no, you've found me out
I didn't realise JG was in it and figures that Damon wold be his friend?
Hey, it sounds like the kind of weekend that I look forward to *LOL*
Enjoy!
Lilla ...
Silly me, I just realised that JG must be his wife or girlfriend or something, right?
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Oh I find that so interesting, thank you for the information. No wonder I percieved the similarities to Total Recall- Ha! he must be a great author. I don't get time to read novels so much anymore now that I have children, but I can imagne these are all fantastic!
In your opinion would you say the books are better than the films - they usually are. I'd be interested to hear which ones you feel were closer to the book than others. I read somehwere that John Woo was criticised heavily for not managing to translate them properly?
Thank you for your comment.
Lilla ...